The Victorian government paid $5 million to land Robert Whittaker’s UFC 243 blockbuster

The UFC 243 blockbuster between Robert Whittaker and Israel Adesanya is already breaking records following revelations the Victorian government paid $5 million to land the fight.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 07: Robert Whittaker of Australia poses after his UFC 234 workout session at Federation Square on February 07, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Vince Caligiuri/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC)

Robert Whittaker has confirmed his status as Australia's No. 1 fighter, with the Victorian government shelling out $5 million to host his UFC 243 blockbuster on October 6.

As proof of Whittaker’s growing popularity, The Saturday Telegraph can reveal the UFC middleweight champ has commanded a staggering seven-figure deal for his first homesoil title defence against rising New Zealander superstar Israel Adesanya.

The figure, paid to the UFC, is understood to be the highest event bid ever involving an Australian fighter.

As a result, Melbourne's Marvel Arena is now bracing for a sell out crowd of almost 60,000 after trumping rival stadium venues in Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, even Las Vegas.

And to help promote an event shaping as the largest in Australian fight history, both Whittaker and Adesanya will now undertake a whirlwind promotional tour that includes a Melbourne press conference on August 14 followed by an open workout at Westfield Parramatta on Saturday, August 17.

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Whittaker is one of Australian sport’s biggest stars. Photo by Vince Caligiuri/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC.

Quizzed on the record numbers, and dollar signs, now being associated with a fight scheduled for NRL grand final day, Whittaker said: “I just can't wait to compete.

“Obviously this fight has been a while coming, so I'm really looking forward to Melbourne and getting into some work.”

Back in February, Whittaker needed only eight minutes to sell out Rod Laver Arena for what was supposed to be his first title defence on homesoil at UFC 234. On fight day, however, the Sydneysider was rushed to hospital for emergency surgery on a collapsed and twisted bowel.

It was the second time Australia's first UFC champ had been forced of a card Down Under, having also missed UFC 221 in Perth because of serious illness.

“So I feel like I owe my fans a show,” Whittaker said. “That's what they've been waiting for and now, I'm ready to go.

Whittaker will face Adesantya for the world title. Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images.

“Being forced off that last card in Melbourne, it doesn't sit well with me.

“But ever since I got out of that hospital, I've been focusing on my health and surrounding myself with good people.

“I've also smartened up my diet, smartened up the way I live; I'm doing all those one-percenters that allow you to get better.

“I've trained smart. Got my body right.

“I've done absolutely everything I possibly can and now I feel like I'm ready to go.”

Incredibly, it has only been five months since Whittaker first started going for slow walks after his three surgeries.

“That's all I could do at first — walking,” he laughs. “But the first day I was allowed to walk, I did. Was straight into it. And I really hate training slow. Hate it.

“So it was hard, tested my patience. But it's because of how hard I worked that I'm now in the position I am.”